Surely in Thursday night’s NFL Draft the Cowboys will select a defensive lineman with the 27th pick. Of course, they also need help in the secondary. And a running back, yeah, they need one of those too. Linebacker?
Truth is, for a team that everyone – especially Tony Romo – feels is sooo close to a Super Bowl, there are lots of holes to fill. DeMarco Murray is gone. Greg Hardy will miss a big chunk of games. Brandon Carr is on his way out the door. Sean Lee is healthy, for now.
In addition to potentially trading up or down, the Cowboys could go a number of directions in the first round. In my opinion defense is the pressing need. Whether it’s a pass-rushing end, run-stuffing tackle, play-making cornerback or versatile linebacker, they can’t go wrong with an upgrade on that side of the ball.
I’ll say they turn a blind eye to his recent marijuana possession and draft Missouri linebacker and SEC Defensive Player of the Year Shane Ray. But what do I know? Or anybody else, for that matter.
I looked at 10 mock drafts this morning and came away with eight different names penciled in for Dallas’ No. 27 pick. If there is a “consensus” pick, it’s Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon.
Don’t be surprised if the player they actually take isn’t even among these experts’ lists:
Todd Davis, Blue Star Blog – RB Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin)
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Charley Casserly, NFL Network – RB Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin)
Pete Schrager, Fox – RB Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin)
Peter King, NBC/Sports Illustrated – DT Malcom Brown (Texas)
Mel Kiper, ESPN – DE Preston Smith (Mississippi State)
Todd McShay, ESPN – LB Shane Ray (Missouri)
Don Banks, Sports Illustrated – CB Jalen Collins (LSU)
Dan Brugler, CBS – LB Shaq Thompson (Washington)
Charles Davis, NFL Network – CB Kevin Johnson (Wake Forest)
Pete Prisco, CBS – CB Byron Jones (Connecticut)
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
